WSB-TV newsfilm clip of senator Herman Talmadge speaking about the role of African American civil rights leaders during race riots in Atlanta, Georgia, 1966 December

WSB-TV newsfilm clip of senator Herman Talmadge speaking about the role of African American civil rights leaders during race riots in Atlanta, Georgia, 1966 December

Date:

1966 Dec.

Description:

In this WSB newsfilm clip probably from December 1966 senator Herman Talmadge speaking at a banquet commends local Atlanta African American civil rights leaders who supported the city during the September 1966 race riots. Senator Talmadge stands at a podium at an unidentified banquet where men sit around tables and listen. Talmadge declares that during the September 1966 Summerhill race riot local African American leaders chose to follow the leadership of Atlanta mayor Ivan Allen instead of that of "outside agitators." Talmadge praises the "law and order" that "ultimately prevailed and was restored." In September 1966 an Atlanta policeman shot and killed an African American young man as the police tried to arrest a suspected car thief in the Atlanta Summerhill neighborhood. Several hundred African Americans gathered and began rioting. Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) workers brought a sound truck to the area which allegedly encouraged the riot. Mayor Ivan Allen came to the area and, standing on a car, urged calm and the restoration of peace but angry crowds refused to listen. SNCC leader Stokely Carmichael was blamed for the rioting and was tried for "inciting a riot." Atlanta police chief Herbert Jenkins in blaming the organization called it the "Nonstudent Violent Committee" emphasizing a shift of the public's perception of the organization.

Title supplied by cataloger.

The Civil Rights Digital Library received support from a National Leadership Grant for Libraries awarded to the University of Georgia by the Institute of Museum and Library Services for digital conversion and description of the WSB-TV Newsfilm Collection.